FIRE ANT BITES-HELP!!!

Every year I get bit by fire ants. (who doesn't?) The misery usually doesn't set in until the second day when the itching and the swelling is out of control. It keeps me awake at night. (I scratch in my sleep). I've tried everything: Benadryl, Oatmeal soaks, Caladryl, Ant Sting Relief Gel, soaking in the ocean, etc. Trying not to scratch is trying to hold back a freight train.

Hubby has been trying to kill the heathens by treating the yard, but we have a lot of yard and I stepped on a random nest.

Has anybody used any over-the-counter products with any success? Or, are there any tried and true home remedies out there? I'm willing to try anything to relieve my feet and ankles!

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and hubby and I got bit, and I mean bit pretty bad both of us had like probably 100 total bites, we mmediately ran inside and dabbed bleach on each bit. It seemed to take the sting out. I put lysterine on mine (I use it for everything)it seems to take out the infection and we didn't itch nearly as much. Hubby scarred (he didn't use the lysterine only the bleach, I used both)

Sounds like you're in the 15 percent of people who have large local reaction. Me too. I just did a story Monday about fire ants (you can see it by clicking on Today's Paper above, then scrolling down and selecting Monday's paper and going to centerpiece.)
The specialist I talked to said that applying things to the skin may actually make the itching worse because it causes more irritation. He says oral Benadryl pills are best. Also, if you scratch and bust the postule, it will itch worse and take longer to heal.
That said, I can't bear the itching either. I usually use benadryl creams, oral benadryl, Witch Hazel and nothing but time really works.
Yuck. By the way, you can also search the blogs for bites. I had a blog a while ago asking for advice on the same topic and received a fair number of responses.
Heal quickly.
And try to get rid of some of those ants.

Thanks for pointing out the article. I was away Mon and missed the paper. Ironically, we were up on Lake Marion where I have never seen so many ants! It was creepy and I wasn't about to get close enough to determine if they were red or black. It looked like a bad horror flick! I spent all weekend avoiding these little monsters only to get bit in my own backyard the day I return - Sheesh!

Jstrait - I'll also try the Ortho. Not sure what hubby was using, but he puts it in the spreader. Is the Ortho only for "spot treatment"? I'd like to use something that will treat the whole yard at once.

This is for the mounds that you may find in your yard. You pour a small amount on the mound or trail of ants, if the mound is hidden. It kills the queen which inturn kills the colony. Beware...it really stinks!

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